TEMPO.CO, Ciamis - Thousands of people gathered for joint prayers held at Ciamis Grand Mosque in Ciamis, West Java, on Monday, November 28, 2016, by the National Movement to Save the Indonesian Ulema Council’s Edicts (GNPF-MUI).

After the prayers, some of them lined up and conducted a long march to Jakarta to participate in the upcoming rally to be held on December 2, 2016 at the National Monument (Monas) in Central Jakarta.

“For those who can’t continue the long march, there are cars to transport them. In addition, we also provide doctors and medicines,” Siti Rohimah, coordinator of female Islamic school students, who attended the joint prayers.

Deden, coordinator of the Ciamis branch of the GNPF-MUI, explained that the participants packed praying rugs, sarongs, foods, and Qurans.

“If anyone made an allegation that we will cause any troubles, that would be ridiculous. How can we cause troubles with praying rugs?” Deden said.

The long march was guarded by about a hundred of security forces consisting of Islamic school students. The task force was assigned to anticipate provocateurs infiltration.

The long march was conducted due to a rumor saying that the National Police has banned transportation companies to facilitate participants of the rally.

However, transportation companies in Ciamis have yet received a circular letter regarding the bans.

CANDRA NUGRAHA